Kenya’s new higher education funding model is set to significantly lower the financial burden on students and their families, making university education more affordable.
Under the new system, which was unveiled by President William Ruto earlier this year, students from vulnerable and needy backgrounds will benefit from drastically reduced course fees, while households with the ability to pay will still see some relief.
Before we look at the prices for courses, it is important to note how the new model works.
How the model works
The new funding model for university students categorises families into five income bands, with the most needy (Band One) comprising those earning less than Ksh5,995. In this group, the government provides 95 per cent of the total fees, with 70 per cent covered by scholarships and 25 per cent by loans. Families in this band contribute just 5 per cent, while students receive an additional upkeep loan of Ksh60,000 from HELB.
Band Two families, earning between Ksh5,995 and Ksh23,670, get 90 per cent support, with the government covering 60 per cent through scholarships and 30 per cent through loans. The family pays 10 per cent of the fees, and students in this category receive Ksh55,000 in upkeep loans.
For families in Band Three, with incomes between Ksh23,670 and Ksh70,000, 80 per cent of fees are covered by the government, split between 50 per cent in scholarships and 30 per cent in loans, while the family pays 20 per cent. Students receive Ksh50,000 in upkeep loans.
Band Four families, earning between Ksh70,000 and Ksh120,000, get 70 per cent support, and those earning more than Ksh120,000 (Band Five) receive 60 per cent, with the remainder covered by loans and family contributions.
Prices for Courses
Parents whose children are pursuing popular courses, such as Law, Engineering, or Dental Surgery, will now only be required to contribute a fraction of the overall course cost, thanks to a blend of scholarships and loans offered by the government.
For instance, parents of students enrolled in a Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme at the University of Nairobi (UoN), which previously cost Ksh521,840 per year, will now pay just Ksh36,473.50.
Meanwhile, students at Moi University pursuing the same course will only pay Ksh42,840 annually, with the government covering the rest through loans and scholarships.
In the case of Law, students at institutions like Kenyatta University and Moi University, which charge an average of Ksh183,600 for a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, will now pay only Ksh12,852 for the year. By contrast, private universities such as Mount Kenya University will still charge families up to Ksh170,000 for the same degree.
Dr Mercy Wahome, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya University and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) noted in June, that the government is stepping in to reduce the cost of education, making it more accessible for all Kenyans. "The burden of education has been on learners for too long, but this new model shifts it to those who are in a better position to pay," she explained.
For those pursuing more technical courses, such as Engineering or Architecture, the cost reductions are equally significant. Engineering students at public institutions will now pay Ksh19,278 for two semesters, compared to the full cost of Ksh275,400 at universities like the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM).
Students enrolling in the Architecture programme at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) will contribute Ksh25,704 instead of the full Ksh275,400.
The new model also extends to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, where the government is offering a 7.5 per cent discount on actual programme costs. This will make courses such as uniform training, which costs Ksh67,189, more affordable.
